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The long-lasting conflict over copying in schools and municipal adminstration in Norway has come to an end. 11 April, The Norwegian Remuneration Tribunal published their decision about Internet printouts, while Kopinor and The Norwegian Association of Local and Regional Authorities (KS) reached an agreement about the remaining issues in January.
Executive Director Yngve Slettholm (right) and Deputy Executive Director Hans-Petter Fuglerud studying the tribunal decision. (Foto: Trond Smith-Meyer)
Price per page
The price per copy page of internet printouts will be the same as for paper photocopies, in 2007 NOK 0,358 (€ 0,044) per page, and will be adjusted annually according to the cost of living index.
There will be a reduction in the volume of internet printouts to be paid for (30 % in schools, 35% in administration) to cover personal use and use assumed to be made on the basis of rightsholder consent. The two organisations have agreed to allow the re-use of photocopies, limited to the same school, class level and a period of 6 months. The agreement also covers the use of Power Point slides and projector use. The price has been fixed at 40 times that of a paper copy.
Reduction in 2006 revenues
The copying ban led to a reduction in the remuneration for 2006. The total revenues in 2006 was NOK 173,3 million (€ 21,3 million), compared with 195 million (€ 24 million) in 2005.
The agreements with all Norwegian municipalities and counties expired 31 December 2005. After negotiations and mediation, Kopinor and KS did not reach a new agreement. Consequently, a ban on copying in schools and municipalities came into effect 1 January 2006. The ban was lifted 7 April 2006, when Kopinor and KS agreed to let the Remuneration Tribunal decide the unresolved matters.